Polk FFA Dairy Judging teams earn spot among state’s best

Polk County High School’s Senior and Junior Dairy Judging teams took part on April 14 in the 2018 North Carolina FFA State Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event, with the Senior team placing second in the state competition.

More than 65 Junior and Senior teams competed in the event, held in Iredell County. Brevard High School’s FFA took top honors, with Polk County placing second.

Polk County’s Junior team took third in the Western Region and 11th in the state.

At the state event, participants are scored based on how well they apply dairy cattle evaluation skills learned in and out of the classroom. Each team evaluates six classes of dairy cattle and defends the reasoning behind their evaluation to a panel of judges. Senior participants also complete a written test and work collaboratively to select appropriate herd composition. Completing these activities successfully requires a good understanding of both animal science and herd management skills.

The highest scoring team is eligible to compete in the national FFA event at the National FFA Convention. The top three teams and high scoring individual will be recognized during the 90th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh in June.

This event is one of 43 different career development events offered to North Carolina FFA members on the state level. The North Carolina Dairy Youth Foundation sponsors the North Carolina FFA Association Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event.